A cold clarity settled in my bones. This was bigger than one missed appointment or the confession she’d made the night of the gala.
I stood, gripping the report in my fist, my direction unshakable. Gage needed to see this.
He glanced up when I entered his office, but whatever greeting he’d planned died the second he saw my face. I didn’t bother sitting. I just handed him the report.
“Read it.”
He took the pages, his brow furrowing as he skimmed. Then his expression hardened. “Is this what I think it is?”
“Sophie deleted my alerts,” I confirmed as I dropped onto a chair. “Including the fertility appointment with Callie.”
“Fucking hell.” A muscle jumped in Gage’s jaw. “Vanessa told me this morning that she liked working with Sophie, but this can’t stand.”
He reached for his desk phone and called his soon-to-be ex-wife, briefly explaining the situation to her. Less than two minutes later, Sophie knocked on the door and stepped into the office. She offered Gage a bright smile that faltered when she noticed me sitting across from him.
“I wasn’t expecting to see you, Ethan.” She tucked a strand of hair behind her ear, her gaze darting between us. “Is something wrong?”
Gage didn’t return her smile. “Close the door.”
Her throat bobbed as she obeyed.
I held the report out again. “Recognize this?”
She glanced at the paper, then at me, confusion flickering in her eyes. “Um, no? What is it?”
“It’s the audit log Harper pulled this morning.” I barely held back my fury. “The system tracked every alert you deleted on my calendar.”
Color drained from her face. “I—I didn’t! If something got changed, it was probably a glitch. You know how buggy the notifications have been lately.”
“Don’t lie.” My tone cut cleanly through her excuses. “Just don’t.”
Her mouth opened and closed twice before a soft sob broke free. “Ethan, please. I was trying to help you. You’ve been so overwhelmed, and your mom told me you needed someone who could support you and make things easier. I just?—”
Gage barked a humorless laugh. “That’s your defense?”
She ignored him and came a step closer to me, tears streaking down her cheeks. “I wasn’t trying to hurt you. I swear. I thought if you weren’t so stressed, things would get better. I only did what I thought was best for you.”
I crossed my arms over my chest. “You sabotaged my calendar.”
“No!” Her voice turned desperate. “I edited a few things so you wouldn’t have so much on your plate. That’s all. Your mom said you’d thank me eventually. That you needed someone who actually supported your career. Who understood the world we live in. Not an outsider.”
“What else did my mother say?” I demanded.
Sophie sniffled. “She was the one who told me to adjust things. She said you and Callie were having issues already, and it wasn’t my place to question it.” She bit her bottom lip before adding, “That’s why she called me before she went to the emergency room. To check your calendar.”
The warning signs I hadn’t understood from that night finally made sense, and my blood ran cold.
“That’s enough,” Gage snapped, rising from his chair. “You tampered with confidential systems, compromised a marriage, and interfered with executive scheduling. You’re done.”
“Gage, please,” Sophie whimpered, shaking her head.
“HR is already on the way.” He pressed the intercom. “You’ll be escorted out.”
Her expression hardened, the tears drying instantly. “This is because of her. Callie ruined everything, and Margot?—”
“None of this is my wife’s fault,” I corrected as I got to my feet. “And my mother won’t be doing anything else. She’s done, too.”
She flinched when HR appeared in the doorway. Still sputtering excuses, she was led out of the office. The door shut behind her with a quiet click.
